The Packers have found their new backup quarterback. Green Bay is acquiring Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick, a source with knowledge of the trade said Monday.
The deal comes after Sean Clifford, who was Jordan Love's backup in 2023, had a disappointing camp. The 2023 fifth-round pick out of Penn State couldn't distinguish himself from seventh-round pick Michael Pratt, who also didn't stand out but may have more potential and could develop on the practice squad this season if the Packers only take Love and Willis on their initial 53-man roster.
Although Willis will likely be the Packers' backup quarterback for most of this season, could he be ready to play Week 1 in less than two weeks?
Perhaps the Packers keep Clifford or Pratt at 53 to ensure they have a backup who knows the offense better than Willis against the Eagles in Brazil. If they are confident both will clear waivers, perhaps they release both and bring them back to the practice squad before moving Clifford up on game day in Week 1 because he knows the offense better and then continue to develop Pratt on the practice squad while releasing him. The bottom line is there are several different approaches the Packers can take with their backup quarterback(s).
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Willis, a 2022 third-round pick, has completed 35 of 66 passes for 350 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions in his career while rushing 32 times for 144 yards and a touchdown.
“There were some really good moments and then there were some things we definitely have to do better, and then we’ll evaluate all the things that are available to us,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of the backup quarterback competition after Saturday’s preseason finale.
In the end, the Packers evaluated what else was out there, and concluded it was better than what they had.
Malik Willis improved, but was a setback under the Titans' previous regime
Some had Willis as the QB1 pick in a quarterback-deficient 2022 draft, meaning some had the Titans tempted to deal him with the 86th pick in the third round. But that decision by former GM Jon Robinson, months after the Titans had the No. 1 seed in the AFC and squandered it with a home playoff loss to Cincinnati, was a bad one.
The Titans should have added quality players to help Ryan Tannehill, even if they threw three picks against the Bengals. Instead, it was an empty pick — as the Titans quickly found out, which led to drafting Will Lewis a year later. Joe Rexroad, Senior Writer for Titans
Tennessee has upgraded at QB2 with Mason Rudolph
The Titans' QB2 situation is the best it has been in five years — when Tannehill came in a trade with Miami and eventually replaced Marcus Mariota — thanks to the signing of Mason Rudolph. He's been spectacular in camp and preseason games, eliminating the idea that he and Willis were competing to be the backup, though Titans coaches have touted it that way.
However, unlike five years ago, Rudolph is no threat to the starter's spot. Finding out what Lewis can do is the franchise's top priority this season. — Rexroad
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(Photo: Johnny Izquierdo/Getty Images)